Texas [US], November 20: United States President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch of SpaceX’s Starship on Tuesday, marking a significant collaboration with Elon Musk, the company’s CEO. The event took place at SpaceX’s state-of-the-art rocket development facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
The sixth test flight of the Starship rocket had ambitious objectives, including ensuring the booster’s recovery at the launch site, reigniting a Raptor engine in space, and testing new heatshield experiments alongside reentry and descent manoeuvres over the Indian Ocean. The mission was deemed a success as the rocket completed its splashdown precisely at the target location.
Trump’s presence at the launch underlined Musk’s growing influence in the President-elect’s administration. Following the event, Trump announced Musk’s appointment, alongside Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“I am pleased to announce that the great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” Trump said in a statement.
He emphasized the department’s critical role, adding, “Together, these two outstanding Americans will dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies. This initiative will be a cornerstone of the Save America movement and will send shockwaves through the system.”
The DOGE will collaborate closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to spearhead structural reforms and adopt an entrepreneurial approach to governance, according to Trump’s statement.
This announcement comes as Trump prepares for his second term as President of the United States, following his victory in the 2024 presidential election. Trump secured 295 electoral votes, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes.
With his inauguration scheduled for January 2025, Trump has swiftly moved to finalize key appointments, particularly in foreign policy and national security, while simultaneously setting the stage for innovative domestic initiatives like DOGE.
